ift. It was rather foolish to
suppose that Ben would snap at such a bait, but he decided to
try it.

"I think you would be better off in the mill," he said.

"You could board at home, and help your aunt. You would soon be
promoted, too."

"I thought you didn't want me to enter the mill," exclaimed Ben,
amazed. "Your father told me that my record was not good;" and
Ben looked indignant.

"Father was feeling out of sorts," said Sam smoothly.

"He will take you on if you'll come back."

"What does the fellow mean?" thought Ben.

It didn't take him long to guess. If he should return to the mill he
would be once more in Sam's power.

"You really think your father would employ me?"

"Yes, he would if I asked him to."

"I would thank you, Sam Archer, if I thought your offer was a
friendly one."

"What makes you think that it isn't."

"The feeling which I have reason to think you entertain for me, and
your conduct in the past."

"You are too suspicious, Ben."

"If I find I am, I will apologize to you. It would be foolish for me
to give up so good a position in order to accept a poor one, which
is not all permanent."

"Well, Bradford, I must bid you good morning. Just write to me if
you decide to accept."

"If I decide to accept I will."

"He's getting very impudent," said Sam to himself, "If I could only
get him into the mill I could fix him. We'd let him stay two or three
weeks, and then ship him. But he won't do it. Stay, I think of a
way."

What the way was may be conjectured from a letter which Ben
received three days later from his Aunt Jane:

"My Dear Nephew: I am feeling almost heart-broken. It is reported
by one who saw you lately that you are looking very dissipated. I
was afraid the temptations of the city were too much for you. You
are too young to go away from home. I won't blame you too much,
for I feel that you are weak rather than wicked. But I shall not feel
comfortable till you are at home again. Don't hesitate to give up
your place. I am assured that they will take you on again at the mill,
and it will be much better for you to be at home with us, till you are
older, and better able to resist temptation.

"Your anxious aunt,
"Jane Bradford"

Ben read this letter in amazed indignation.

"Sam is at the bottom of this," he concluded. "It is he that has
reported that I look dissipated. He wants to deprive me of my place,
and get me into the mill, where I shall be